The Fate of 24, 43, 99 & 92

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Colbert, Tomlin & the coaching staff are meeting this morning to discuss the personnell and the fate of the veterans. Specifically they are going to decide whether to retain or release Troy, Ike, Brett and/or James. Releasing all 4 is a strong possibility. Also they are going to be discussing Worilds' future. Here are some links to chew on:

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/nfl-pittsburgh-steelers-news/2015/2/10/8014419/steelers-gm-kevin-colbert-and-mike-tomlin-to-meet-wednesday-to

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2015/02/10/Steelers-Roethlisberger-talking-about-new-contract/stories/201502100186

"It will be a more formal approach where we not only start talking about potential free agents, but we also grade our own team as each position coach comes in," Colbert said. "When we come out of those meetings and head into the combine, we will have a good idea of who we can keep, who we want to keep and who we need to replace."

Feel free to discuss your opinions on the matter! Should be a pivotal day... Stay tuned!

 

[MISKO]

need to keep ben , the offense is doing well .. I would hope that troy see's the writing on the wall and retires ..I doubt harrison returns as the same with brett .. and i think that ike will be back

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Out...JH, Troy, Ike, Brett...love all 4, but at some point PIT must turn the page and with LeBeau gone, I can't see them returning under Butler.

Misko...Ike returning...really? I know it's a need position, but today Ike is strictly an off cover, zone guy but lacks the speed to play on the edge....idk.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

IMO they possibly only need to keep James & Brett. Let Ike & Troy go.

I'm sort of on the fence with Troy. I think he could be brought back to play some meaningful snaps and provide depth. But he is no longer a starter and shouldn't be treated as such. The time is now for Shamarko. Whether he is capable or not, they need to figure that out. Wish he would just retire already. Sad to see him tainting his exit at this point.

Brett... Heyward is the leader of the D... Brett knows it, Lebeau knew it, and the rest of the coaches know it. Tuitt is going to be a star, but depth is questionable. Cam Thomas should be cut (please mother of god). I'd let Keisel stay on board to play out his final year of contract to provide depth. McCullers could be groomed to play DE as well.

James... They need depth at OLB. JJ is the only rostered player with experience at the position. Worilds is a hot topic of discussion but is likely to price himself out of town. Z-man & Hojo are projects. They'll likely draft a player here, but they need depth. Moats can be brought back for cheap as well.

Ike... I'd feel confident with Gay & McCain as the starters. But McCain is a UFA. Blake is a RFA. Cortez is a shaky project at this point. A draft pick or 2 has to be a priority this offseason. If Ike is brought back it better be a vet minimum for camp insurance. Not sure I would see the point of rostering him on the 53 next season if Gay, McCain, Blake & a few rookies are on board.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

IMO they possibly only need to keep James & Brett. Let Ike & Troy go.

I'm sort of on the fence with Troy. I think he could be brought back to play some meaningful snaps and provide depth. But he is no longer a starter and shouldn't be treated as such. The time is now for Shamarko. Whether he is capable or not, they need to figure that out. Wish he would just retire already. Sad to see him tainting his exit at this point.

Brett... Heyward is the leader of the D... Brett knows it, Lebeau knew it, and the rest of the coaches know it. Tuitt is going to be a star, but depth is questionable. Cam Thomas should be cut (please mother of god). I'd let Keisel stay on board to play out his final year of contract to provide depth. McCullers could be groomed to play DE as well.

James... They need depth at OLB. JJ is the only rostered player with experience at the position. Worilds is a hot topic of discussion but is likely to price himself out of town. Z-man & Hojo are projects. They'll likely draft a player here, but they need depth. Moats can be brought back for cheap as well.

Ike... I'd feel confident with Gay & McCain as the starters. But McCain is a UFA. Blake is a RFA. Cortez is a shaky project at this point. A draft pick or 2 has to be a priority this offseason. If Ike is brought back it better be a vet minimum for camp insurance. Not sure I would see the point of rostering him on the 53 next season if Gay, McCain, Blake & a few rookies are on board.

Brett...with LeBeau gone...a depth guy is really all that I think he'll be or should be...Tuitt should be the guy now...agree that if it came down to Cam Thomas or Brett...give me Brett all day long.

James...agree 100% on the depth at OLB...really depends on how much 3-4 they plan on playing...he really struggled in CIN's 4-3...to me JH is a 3-4 OLB that can bring edge pressure and that's all he is. If the price is right I can work with JH, but would be okay with Moats for less.

Troy...has a decent '13 season, but LY you really saw decline...not the surest tackler anymore...he's a legend, HOFer, but he's done imo.

Ike...I'm afraid of going to camp with all CBs under 6' and if Allen can't climb out of his funk...that's what we're looking at...that said Ike is no longer an edge player...he has to concede the 5 to 8 yd cushion and make the tackle....I want more than that from my CBs now.

 

[MISKO]

Out...JH, Troy, Ike, Brett...love all 4, but at some point PIT must turn the page and with LeBeau gone, I can't see them returning under Butler.

Misko...Ike returning...really? I know it's a need position, but today Ike is strictly an off cover, zone guy but lacks the speed to play on the edge....idk.

didnt say I wanted ike to stay .. I just think that will happen ..

 

[ATL96Steeler]

didnt say I wanted ike to stay .. I just think that will happen ..

Gotcha...If Lebeau were still running the DEF, I would say 80% chance Ike would be back...under Butler...idk but...b/c Ike's injury was not leg related...there's a chance...especially if Allen doesn't look improved.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Ike...I'm afraid of going to camp with all CBs under 6' and if Allen can't climb out of his funk...that's what we're looking at...that said Ike is no longer an edge player...he has to concede the 5 to 8 yd cushion and make the tackle....I want more than that from my CBs now.

I don't think we will see that anymore now that Lebeau is gone. Lebeau's DB motto was "keep the play in front of you and use sound tackling". He stayed away from press coverage unless you were in the RZ. I'd like to see Butler change that. Let the CB's be more disruptive instead of passive. Smaller CB's have to play like that if they want any sort of advantage. In that aspect I feel ya on the 6' mark. They need size.

 

[Ewa PGH Fan]

My thoughts on each (for what they're worth - nothing probably):

Ike (24) - He's no longer a starter and based on last year a nickle either. If he takes vet min and accepts playing a Deshea Townshed type dime role I say bring him to camp. But if they resign both McCain and Blake they may have to be cut him if he doesn't retire.

Troy (43) - he's no longer playing at a "Troy" level but that level was so high it appears he's dropped further than he has. The Rooney's already said they want Troy to retire a Steeler. So, unless he retires he'll be back but no longer a full-time player and maybe no longer a starter.

Brett (99) - If Cam Thomas is gone Brett will be back if he wants to be. He won't be the starter but he could be a quality backup and part of the line rotation. Given the injuries over the last few years he may decide to hang it up or announce this is his final year ahead of the season.

JH (92) - As others have pointed out, there is no depth at OLB and if Worilds walks little starting experience. JH will be brought back for insurance if nothing else. But I expect a high draft pick at OLB to be in the mix.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

My thoughts on each (for what they're worth - nothing probably):

Ike (24) - He's no longer a starter and based on last year a nickle either. If he takes vet min and accepts playing a Deshea Townshed type dime role I say bring him to camp. But if they resign both McCain and Blake they may have to be cut him if he doesn't retire.

Troy (43) - he's no longer playing at a "Troy" level but that level was so high it appears he's dropped further than he has. The Rooney's already said they want Troy to retire a Steeler. So, unless he retires he'll be back but no longer a full-time player and maybe no longer a starter.

Brett (99) - If Cam Thomas is gone Brett will be back if he wants to be. He won't be the starter but he could be a quality backup and part of the line rotation. Given the injuries over the last few years he may decide to hang it up or announce this is his final year ahead of the season.

JH (92) - As others have pointed out, there is no depth at OLB and if Worilds walks little starting experience. JH will be brought back for insurance if nothing else. But I expect a high draft pick at OLB to be in the mix.

Certainly worth the same as ours, which is not much, but fun to hear insight of the hardcore fan.

24...Ike whined about the pay cut this past season so it's doubtful he'll play for the vet min...I see him following Lebeau to TN after they see what they don't have at CB.

43...with Lebeau he was allowed to freelance and make plays along the LOS...we'll have to see how Butler would use him, but I really get the sense Shark is going to get this season to show he can be the every down SS.

The back 4 needs to get more speed and Troy nor Ike have that...of the 4 players here, I think they're least likely back...I wouldn't be surprised to hear Troy announce that he's retiring within the next month or so.

 

[Psych-Ward]

Both Taylor and Harrison have made it known they want to go with Lebeau....

They know it's the only chance they have of playing.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

I'm betting that we are going to hear something surface today on this front...

 

[Ewa PGH Fan]

I'm betting that we are going to hear something surface today on this front...

Any word?

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Any word?

Not a damn thing yet... Combine is going to take center stage for now. I guess we will have to wait a little longer.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.co...n-will-not-retire-heading-to-arizona-to-train

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Well...it's good that he's put this out there now...I don't think it impacts the draft, but certainly FA...not long term obviously. JH is at least equal to the 2nd tier FA guys for this coming season.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

I'd be willing to put money on JH resigning with the Steelers. He has to feel really good about his chances in PIT if he is going to make an announcement like that.

They would be stupid not to resign him. Worilds is testing the market and will likely land in Philly. Moats needs to be brought back as well.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I'd be willing to put money on JH resigning with the Steelers. He has to feel really good about his chances in PIT if he is going to make an announcement like that.

They would be stupid not to resign him. Worilds is testing the market and will likely land in Philly. Moats needs to be brought back as well.

I agree...Not that I want him to leave, but Worilds is not a great player...he's a good player...PHI...if heard that too, but idk, if Brandon Graham can't start for them, I don't see how Worilds would.

JH & Moats gives them some security for this season.

Really just depends on how much Lebeau is going to change the TN...def...(they have to be targeting Leonard Williams if they stay @ 2...or drop back to 10 or 12 range and take Shelton) they were mostly a 4-3 personnel trying to play a 3-4 LY...a proven OLB with scheme experience would be valuable to them.

We know he'll answer the call if the LeBeau rings.

 

[Psych-Ward]

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2015/02/steelers-2015-offseason-priorities-what-to-do-with-deebo/

 

[Superbelt]

Would try to bring Harrison back. Still playing like an upper tier 3-4 OLB, and blows everything else on the roster out of the water.

The rest, bid a sweet farewell to.